Letting loose in 2012 …

Suppression can be a difficult (even painful) thing.

Whether it’s suppressing a sneeze, a cough, a laugh, or an opinion, holding back can be a tough thing to accomplish.

Although there is value in doing things with good timing, suppression often isn’t a good thing, unless we’re talking about the immoral, unethical, the sinful.

But we’re not talking about that when it comes to the concept of living a Christian life, yet many culture-leaning church leaders routinely teach the suppression of Christian identity and values …

“You don’t want to scare people off with your faith …”

“You don’t want to offend others …”

“You want to be sensitive to others …”

“You don’t want to come across like a Bible thumper …”

“You just want your life to speak through random acts of kindness …”

So goes the wave of unbiblical nonsense!

First, Jesus Christ didn’t practice random acts of kindness, He simply was kind. Consistently so. His example and teaching for us was not to be “stealth believers” who suppress to the world who — and whose — they are.

14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father,” Matthew 5:14-16.

Jesus lived out who He was authentically. Could you imagine Jesus not speaking of the Father when He had time with someone?

“Well, He was God’s Son,” some might respond.

But if you are a Christian … so are you!

Would you like a more personally fulfilling New Year? And would you like to contribute more to the kingdom of God in 2012? Then live out your faith openly, kindly, humbly. Demonstrate it. Speak of it. Be the child of God that you are everywhere, always. No suppressing it!

Just enjoy being a whole Christian who lives out his or her faith every day without reserve, without shame, without a false sense of embarrassment, without fear. And without the lousy advise from liberal leaders who tell you to hold back. Suppress it.

In 2012, unleash your authentic self in Christ, you’ll be greatly blessed by the freedom and the result of doing so!

Happy New Year!

Scotty